Phillies Rally, Bullpen Can’t Hold On

It was a close game that went back and forth, but the Phillies couldn’t come through to beat the Reds.

-Cliff Lee’s line: 6.2 innings, 3 runs (2 earned), 9 hits, 1 walk, and 9 strikeouts. Lee pitched great until the seventh inning; he couldn’t get out the jam and allowed the Reds to take a 3-1 lead.

-The Phillies immediately rallied in the bottom of the seventh. They were able to load the bases for Jimmy Rollins, who smacked a two-run double to tie the game. The Phillies had a chance for more, but Juan Pierre decided to try the suicide squeeze, and failed. Ty Wigginton was not expecting the squeeze play, and was a dead duck at home plate.

-Antonio Bastardo continues to struggle. After the Phillies tied the game, he gave up a home run to Todd Frazier. The Reds took the 4-3 lead.

-The Phillies offense didn’t quit. Kevin Frandsen tripled to right. Domonic Brown was on first base, and chugged his way around the bases to score, tying the game at 4. Once again, the Phillies gained some life.

-It didn’t take long for another member of the bullpen to give up the go-ahead run. Jonathan Papelbon gave up a bomb to Zack Cozart. The Reds took a 5-4 lead. Only this time, the Phillies couldn’t rally as Aroldis Chapman completed the save.